Matt Harlin DPE Checkride Gouges
Designated Pilot Examiner • (Matthew David Harlin)
Preparing for an FAA checkride with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Matt Harlin? GougeHub has a first-hand Matt Harlin checkride gouge report from a pilot who tested. Read oral exam questions, flight test patterns, and examiner insights.
↓ View 1 available gouge reportAs of this writing, one report is on file for Matt Harlin, and it covers an IFR checkride. The pilot described a comprehensive list of oral questions paired with a realistic IFR flight scenario. That combination tells you to come ready for both the talking and the flying.
The oral portion ran through a broad set of instrument topics. The report points to a thorough question list rather than a few quick items. Study the standard IFR oral areas and expect Harlin to dig into them in order.
For the flight, the pilot reported a realistic IFR scenario rather than a string of disconnected tasks. Plan your route and brief your approaches as if the flight were real. Treat the scenario like an actual trip from start to finish.
The single report frames these as Harlin's actual focus areas, so use them to guide your prep. Build your study around the oral question list and the scenario flight the pilot described. Walk in knowing your plan and your procedures cold.
One report does not show every pattern, so add your own write-up after you fly. More detail from other applicants will sharpen this picture for the next person. For now, prepare for a full oral and a practical IFR flight with Matt Harlin.
Examiner Patterns
Preliminary insight — based on 1 report
- Oral style: 1 pilot reported the examiner walked through ACS task areas sequentially
- Navigation tools: 1 pilot reported the examiner accepted EFB use
- Density altitude: 1 pilot reported the examiner did not cover density altitude
- Go/no-go discussion: 1 pilot reported the examiner asked a standalone go/no-go question
- Preflight briefing: 1 pilot reported the examiner gave no preflight briefing
Based on self-reported pilot submissions. Data methodology
Ratings & Checkride Types
- IFR (Instrument Rating)
FAA Designee Information
FAA Oversight Office: Delegation And Resource Branch, Afg-970
Status: Active Designee
- Flight Instructor Examiner — Instrument: Airplane Single Engine
- Flight Instructor Examiner: Airplane Single Engine
- Private Pilot Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land
- Commercial & Instrument Rating Examiner: Airplane Single Engine Land
- Balloon Airman Examiner
- Military Competency Examiner
- Flight Instructor Rating Examiner
- Ground Instructor Examiner
- Flight Proficiency Examiner
- SMFT
Source: FAA Designee Management System · Verify on FAA.gov →
Transparency Disclaimer: This page summarizes patterns reported by applicants. It is not an endorsement, prediction, or guarantee of checkride outcome. Every checkride varies based on the applicant and circumstances.